In the 4.7.20 Shelf Awareness, Atomic Books of Baltimore, MD reported:

“People have been asking, ‘What can we do? How can we help?’ All you need to do is BUY BOOKS and GIFT CARDS! We don’t need donations or anything extra (just yet). We’re here to sell books. And if you keep buying books we should be fine.”

Let’s do it friends; start buying books now for all those events on the horizon. Sure, we could wait, but booksellers and bookstores need our help now! Let your friends and family know how easy it is to Shop Local and Now with Bookshop.org or IndieBound.org, and support their local retailer.

Remember DATES with friends? Since that’s not happening, send a book instead! Hilary Mantel is a captivating date with The Mirror & the Light; Don Winslow thrills with Broken; or surprise with debut author Elizabeth Wetmore’s Valentine.

Think of the GRADUATES—kindergarten, elementary / middle / high school, college—who will miss their big celebrations. A gift is in order, maybe two! Buy a gift card or Oh, the Places You’ll Go, Becoming by Michelle Obama, Make Your Bed by William McKraven. Find inspiration NOW from your local bookstore.

Maybe your friends had to cancel their WEDDING? Ours did. How about a book to cushion the blow? A terrific cookbook perhaps? One of Mark Bittman’s or his newest How to Eat; Ottolenghi Simple, or Bakerita “for the modern baker.” We’re going to send That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life (out 5/12)—hope it’s true!

Take care of MOTHER’S DAY (May 10) and FATHER’S DAY (June 21) NOW. Lots of excellent gifts for Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa. Consider Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams, Simon the Fiddler by Paulette Jiles, The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich, Dad’s Maybe Book by Tim O’Brien, While the Music Played by Nathaniel Lande, Rick Atkinson’s The British Are Coming is new in paperback.

Think ahead to the HOLIDAYS! Be the person who shops early. Yes, you! There are books you can already see buying for Christmas or Hanukkah, so order NOW! Then there is plenty of time to wrap.

“So call your local bookstore and see if they’re still shipping. It turns out the community of readers and books is the community we needed in the good old days, and it’s the community we need in hard times, and it’s the community we’ll want to be there when this whole thing is over.”
—Ann Patchett, co-owner of Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN

Our industry is so thoughtful and generous, and there are many ways to support bookstores and booksellers, artists and writers. Many of you already have. But if you have time to think about the books you want to share, to give, to press upon your friends and family, please do. The key word is NOW!

Or connect with your local bookseller.

 STAY   HOME.

 STOP   THE SPREAD.

 BUY   BOOKS.